                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

REDUCTION OF LIMITS BY COMMISSIONER OF HIGHWAYS AND LOCAL AUTHORITIES; PENALTIES
(§ 46.2-1104)

The Commissioner of Highways, acting through employees of the Department of
Transportation, may prescribe the weight, width, height, length, or speed of any
vehicle or combination of vehicles passing over any highway or section of
highway or bridge constituting a part of the interstate, primary, or secondary
system of highways. Any limitations thus prescribed may be less than those
prescribed in this title whenever an engineering study discloses that it would
promote the safety of travel or is necessary for the protection of any such
highway.
		If the reduction of limits as provided in this section is to be effective for
more than 90 days, a written record of this reduction shall be kept on file at
the central office of the Department of Transportation. In instances where the
limits, including speed limits, are to be temporarily reduced, the
representative of the Department of Transportation in the county wherein such
highway is located shall immediately notify the Chief Engineer for the
Department of Transportation of such reduction. The Chief Engineer shall either
affirm or rescind the action of reducing such limits within five days from the
date the limits have been posted as hereinafter provided. A list of all highways
on which there has been a reduction of limits as herein provided shall be kept
on file at the central office of the Department of Transportation. Anyone
aggrieved by such reduction of limits may appeal directly to the Commissioner of
Highways for redress, and if he affirms the action of reducing such limits, the
Commonwealth Transportation Board shall afford any such aggrieved person the
opportunity of being heard at its next regular meeting.
		The local authorities of counties, cities, and towns, where the highways are
under their jurisdiction, may adopt regulations or pass ordinances decreasing
the weight limits prescribed in this title for a total period of no more than 90
days in any calendar year, when an engineering study discloses that operation
over such highways or streets by reason of deterioration, rain, snow, or other
climatic conditions will seriously damage such highways unless such weights are
reduced.
		In all instances where the limits for weight, size, or speed have been reduced
by the Commissioner of Highways or the weights have been reduced by local
authorities pursuant to this section, signs stating the weight, height, width,
length, or speed permitted on such highway shall be erected at each end of the
section of highway affected and no such reduced limits shall be effective until
such signs have been posted.
		Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, it shall be
unlawful to operate a vehicle or combination of vehicles on any public highway
or section thereof when the weight, size, or speed thereof exceeds the maximum
posted by authority of the Commissioner of Highways or local authorities
pursuant to this section.
		Any violation of any provision of this section shall constitute a Class 2
misdemeanor. Furthermore, the vehicle or combination of vehicles involved in
such violation may be held upon an order of the court until all fines and costs
have been satisfied.

HISTORY: Code 1950, §§ 46-340, 46-341; 1952, cc. 137, 237; 1958, c. 600, §
46.1-345; 1966, c. 85; 1968, c. 218; 1989, c. 727; 2005, c. 645; 2013, c. 118.